**Day 1(Dated 29th July 2023) : Embarking on the Ladakh Adventure**

The journey begins on an intriguing note—no bikes in sight at Mumbai Airport. Our trusty rides await us in Chandigarh, transported ahead of time and ahead of us. As we set off, a sense of uncertainty lingers. Can we conquer the circuit from Chandigarh to Leh and back, weaving through stunning destinations like Srinagar, Kargil, Nubra, Pangong, Hanle, Sarchu, Manali, and Mandi? Rain has pummeled Mumbai till a day earlier than our set departure which is on 29th July 2023, even canceling flights in that week. Yet, we hold on to faith in a higher power, embarking on this ride.

Our mode of travel itself is a tale—air, rail, and even water (via our bikes doubling as boats😇). Envisioning five major tourist points and boundless natural canvases over two weeks, we're primed for adventure. We kick off with a ride on the beloved Aamachi Mumbai local, journeying from Dombivali to Ghatkopar and to domestic terminal. Then, the skies welcome us, whisking us to Chandigarh. High above, we're treated to the mesmerizing spectacle of the earth below.

Leaving a world drenched in two and a half weeks of gray behind, we land in Chandigarh under a blazing sun, almost foreign to us. A sunny start, indeed, but the sun soon started feeling as it turns mischievous, laughing as we're soaked in sweat. The task at hand is to reach Chandigarh railway station and retrieve our bikes, meticulously packing luggage that can seamlessly perch on our bikes. We had to spent three hours for clearing all procedure for our bikes, attending to oil replacements, filling up the fuel tanks, and some other technical stuff. By the time we left the Chandigarh city limits, the clock read 4 PM, leading us to rethink our initial plan of reaching Pathankot— it is always better not to ride into the late night when you are on bike.We cover around 150 kilometers in three hours, a smooth ride marred only by the clock racing ahead of us. 

The dreams of a Leh Ladakh trip have brewed for over a decade, taking shape since 2020. Plans evolved considerably; our initial desire to ride from Dombivali to Leh transformed into the decision to transport our bikes to Chandigarh. This shift brought its own unique experiences, doubling the cost due to our lack of awareness about railway charges at actual & agent charges for transporting our bikes. The railway merely charge us INR2500+INR1000 for packing but agent charge us INR7500 just to offer this service without searching for men to do the packing & clerical job. 

From bike transport in Mumbai to bike pickup in Chandigarh, our experiences were diverse, particularly in relation to petrol. Bikes must be submitted with emptied fuel tanks for safety reasons, yet upon pickup, no options exist apart from buying black market petrol through their agents. Petrol pumps are not in proximity, and acquiring petrol in bottles violates the law. Railway should offer alternatives, as being forced to buy black market petrol at an exorbitant rate of Rs. 160 per liter (compared to Chandigarh's rate is below 100) is not ideal. With no nearby pumps, we're cornered into buying 5 liters at this inflated price.

Railway's lack of responsibility for packing feels unreasonable, leading us to navigate these hurdles while maintaining our focus on the journey ahead. Arriving in Jalandhar, halfway through our Day 1 target, we harbor a touch of dissatisfaction over the time spent in procedures. But such is the nature of journeys—it offers lessons, demanding acceptance and onward strides.

And so, Day 1 for us concludes in that fashion, setting the stage for our complete Ladakh trail and the adventures awaiting us. Stay tuned for the unfolding of our Ladakh experience day by day how & where we progressed.